CIESC Cohort 7

Why This, Why Now?

So here we are blogging for an assignment. It seems that the only time I blog is for some class assignment or activity. Not because I have any issue with blogging in general, in fact I read blogs all of the time. It just seems like a bad fit for me as what I would share is typically gleaned from the works of others and so not very original. 

Perhaps it will change with this blog. In fact, one of the answers to the question "What are my goals for this course" would be to find tools, strategies and topics that are presented and shared in this course and to find new or unique ways to incorporate them with our teachers. Most likely, I won't write any unique program or come up with some totally unique teaching method, but there is no reason that I can't "cross discipline" existing methods or tools. 

A second goal, and perhaps a larger one, is to simply soak in what others offer. While going to a national conference or elearning session is great and there are certainly benefits, those typically are a gathering of folks who have an interest in one thing listening to someone who has expertise in that thing for an hour or so and then moving to the next thing. The set up of this class allows us to get to know the other participants and share experiences more than just techniques. Then, and in my case it already has happened, we can see how others deal with similar circumstances and gain insight to our own. It's also nice that for the most part there aren't any "big names" that would cause us to defer to them or who would unintentionally dominate the conversation.

Finally, building a local community is becoming increasingly important to me as our technology initiative develops so that there are resources that we can actually make arrangements to visit if necessary. Having connections across the country is fine and gives you a peek into the situations of others but talking to others with a local perspective can lead to insight of its own. Mutual contacts, knowledge of local situations, understanding repercussions of legislative decisions are all examples of how a local community can be of incredible value.

I have already began sharing some of the resources we have been discussing. As I develop my Symbaloo webmixes by subject I am sharing those with teachers who would find them valuable. The tech tips and training sessions have already and will continue to reflect the gained knowledge. Hopefully our teachers will be able to expand their toolkit along with me as I share out. Interestingly, we were developing a presentation for a grant and as we worked were looking for a different way to present besides a slide deck. It turns out the ThingLink was the perfect vehicle for the presentation. So, while it benefitted the presentation it also was a direct and valuable way to introduce the tool to the other members of the presentation team.

And, perhaps after writing a few blog posts the regular sharing will become comfortable enough to turn into a regular thing. After all, if I got it from somewhere maybe someone will get it from me and find it valuable.